[email protected] 800-206-TOUR (8687)   mon - fri 9am - 5pm EST   YOUR TRIP INCLUDES: † Round Trip Airfare        *Fares from other US or Canada Airports        *You may book without airfare (land only option) † All Airport Taxes & Fuel Surcharges! † 9 Nights Accommodations at centrally located, First Class Hotel:       ~ April 22 - May 1 | 9 Nights: Rooney’s Boutique Hotel - Buenos Aires † Free Wi-Fi in Hotel † Transfers as per itinerary † Breakfast each morning at your Hotel † Lunch Daily at local restaurants (except on day of arrival/departure) † Dinner each night at your Hotel or local restaurants (with Wine) † Boat ride to Tigre Delta and to Colonia (Uruguay) † Transportation by Air Conditioned Motor Coach † Assistance of Professional Local Christian guide (Whisper Headsets where needed) † Sightseeing and Admission Fees † Catholic Priest available for Spiritual Guidance † Mass Daily and Spiritual Activities † Tips to Hotel and Restaurant Staff † Luggage Handling (1 Piece per person)      † Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents Not Included: Travel Insurance (www.206tours.com/insurance), Extended Cancellation Protection Plan @ $299 (www.206tours.com/cancellationprotection), Tips to your guide & driver, Items of personal nature.

About His Holiness Pope Francis: To Argentina, he was known as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, but on March 13, 2013, the world would know him as Pope Francis. He chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, admirer of nature and a servant to the poor. Known for being a humble man, Pope Francis denied himself the luxuries that so many around him enjoyed. He showed his humility in so many ways: - When Bishops met, he would sit in the back row - He preferred to take public transportation, even after being elevated to, Holy Father - Preferred to live in a modest one bedroom apartment downtown instead of official residences near the Church - Cooks his own meals Born in 1936, of Italian descent, originally trained and worked as a chemical technician before entering into the seminary and being ordained in 1969. He taught Literature, Psychology, Philosophy, and Theology before taking over as Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998. In 2001, he was elevated to Cardinal. Upon his elevation, he said “Before I bless you, I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop”. Join us on this wonderful Pilgrimage to Argentina, and see where Pope Francis grew up, the country that instilled him with his values, and what led him to become the Holy Father, Bishop of Rome.

Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Tuesday – April 21 - Depart Dallas for Argentina
Depart Dallas, TX for your overnight flights to Argentina.
 
Day 2: Wednesday – April 22 - Arrive in Buenos Aires (City Tour)
Upon arrival at Beunos Aires airport, you will be met by your professional tour escort and transferred by a deluxe motor coach to our hotel. You will meet down in the lobby to begin a city tour of Buenos Aires, starting with the symbol of the city, the Obelisk. This monument was built in 1936 to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the city. Enjoy the views of the spanish-inspired squares such as: Plaza de Mayo, Plaza San Martin, and Plaza Congreso. Along with the numerous soccer stadiums throughout the city, you will also get to discover the historic neighborhoods like San Telmo and La Boca, as well as getting to see the nature in Lezama Park and Tres de Febrero Park. Return to hotel in time for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 3: Thursday – April 23 - Buenos Aires - Flores
Theme: The Early Life of Pope Francis 
After breakfast, we will begin our Pilgrimage by following the life of Pope Francis, starting with the early years when he was known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Our first stop is Flores, a working class town located in the center of Buenos Aires, and birthplace to Pope Francis. Continue on to Our Lady of Mercy Church where he was baptized, and the adjoining school, St. Joseph’s, where he took his first communion and attended primary school. It was here as a teenager that he received his vocational calling. We will celebrate Mass at St. Joseph’s and then make our way back to the Hotel for Dinner and overnight.
 
Day 4: Friday – April 24 - Buenos Aires - Santa Susana
Theme: The Countryside and Gaucho Fiesta OR San Nicolas of Rosario

*This morning you will have the choice of the following:

The Countryside and Gaucho Fiesta
We will take a visit to the famous Argentine countryside and attend the Gaucho Fiesta at Santa Susana estancia. “Gaucho” meaning “the South American Cowboy”, is one of the icons of Argentina’s rural farming areas. Each year, they celebrate the gaucho way of life and all things rural, including horse parades, dancing, music and barbecued meat (a food Argentina is famous for). Dinner and overnight.

OR

San Nicolas of Rosario
We board a luxury coach and travel to the city of Rosario to visit San Nicolas, famous Marian site. Here an ordinary housewife who had no formal education and no knowledge of the Bible or theology was visited by the Blessed Mother daily for a period of over 6 years. She also received 68 messages from Jesus Christ. Numerous healings, including the cure of a boy with a brain tumour, have been documented at this site. We will be given a guided tour of the site and take part in the celebration of mass. After dinner, we travel back to Buenos Aires.
 
Day 5: Saturday – April 25 - Buenos Aires
Theme: The Theologian Years
Following breakfast, we will make our way to Maximo of San Miguel College where Pope Francis studied and later taught philosophy and theology. As a rector, he sheltered those who were “on the run” from the military dictatorship. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to take in a lecture on Argentina’s political history from a local historian. Following the lecture, you will make your way to the Seminary Chapel, also the former living quarters of Pope Francis. During your time there, you will have the opportunity to speak with Mario, a Jesuit Brother and a close personal friend of Pope Francis. You will have the opportunity to gain personal insight into the new Holy Father, and his life while he was in Argentina. Return to Hotel for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 6: Sunday – April 26 - Buenos Aires - Tigre
Theme: Parana Delta by Water
Today, following breakfast, we will take a boat ride up north to Tigre, and visit the Parana Delta and Waterway. As you make your way through the web of inter-connecting rivers and streams, you will get to view the many English Style rowing clubs, marinas, and elegant mansions. Make a stop at San Isidro Cathedral, built in 1706 by French architects, and opened by the city founder: Captain Domingo de Acassuso. Return to your hotel in time for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 7: Monday – April 27 - Buenos Aires
Theme: The Early Life of a Cardinal
After you finish breakfast, we will board the bus and make our way to the Church of the Immigrant. Along the way, we will visit the slums where Pope Francis worked and sought social justice for the poor. Upon arriving at the Church, we will be given a talk by Father Juan, former secretary to Pope Francis. He will give you insight into the type of social programs implemented by the Holy Father while he was a Cardinal in Buenos Aires. Retrace his journey on the city’s public transport system, where at the behest of devotees, he regularly held Mass and Blessings. We will attend Mass for the poor at Consitutentes Train Station. Return for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Tuesday – April 28 - Buenos Aires - Colonia 
Theme: Day Trip to Uruguay
Today we will cruise over the River Plate on a ferry that will bring us to the historic town of Colonia, located in the southwestern region of Uruguay and facing Buenos Aires. Founded in 1680, it is a World Heritage Site and a UNESCO’s protected property. As imposed to Buenos Aires, Colonia is a beach town. One of the only Portuguese settlements along the Rio de la Plata, it offers a colonial that will give you an idea of what buildings in Buenos Aires might have looked like back in colonia times. Along your tour, you will have a chance to view of its most historical sights, Calle de los Suspiros “Street of the sighs”. A beautiful cobblestone street, lined with colorful houses and trademark yellow lamps, along with the historical city gate and walls. We will also visit the ancient Church of the Sacred Saint, the oldest Church in Uruguay. Return in time for dinner and overnight.
 
Day 9: Wednesday – April 29 - Buenos Aires – Lujan
Theme: The Following of Cardinal Bergoglio 
Today we will visit Lujan Cathedral, built in honor of the Virgin of Lujan, the patron saint of Argentina. It is here that more than six million pilgrims would travel each year, some over 40 miles, to be blessed by Pope Francis. We will also visit and dine with the Benedictine monks of the Cono-Sur Congregation who reside at Abadia de San Benito on the outer skirts of Lujan. In addition to providing retreat facilities for the residents of the city, the monks also support themselves by means of agriculture and publishing. Return to your hotel in time for overnight.
 
Day 10: Thursday – April 30 - Buenos Aires
Theme: Life Before a Holy Father
Today is an exciting day, as we will visit the life of Cardinal Bergoglio before he embarked on his trip to the Conclave, where he would later be elevated to Pope Francis. We will visit the City Cathedral where he celebrated Mass and lived nearby in a modest 1 bedroom flat. It is here that Pope Francis described his outreach: “Instead of being a Church that welcomes and receives, we try to be a Church that comes out of itself and goes to the men and women.” From there, we will visit the Casa Rosada (The Pink House), which is the executive mansion and office of the President of Argentina. It is here where you will begin your tour into the political history of Argentina. Dinner and overnight.
 
Day 11: Friday – May 1 - Depart Argentina - Dallas
Following breakfast and heartfelt farewells, we will depart for the airport for our return flights home.

Any Questions? To register or for more information, please contact: Donna tel: 800-206-TOUR (8687) or email: [email protected]

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Buenos Aires Cathedral, Argentina
Tigre, Argentina
Calle de los Suspiros Colonia, Uruguay

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